Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Black Harvest Film Festival Opening Night: Four Shorts in Chicago
Opening night gives short-form work the first word, then turns attention to the people behind the festival’s films. The combination of screening, prize presentation and reception makes this a launch program, not a single film screening.
A screening, followed by recognition
The Nov. 6 program features four short films, with NBC Chicago’s Evrod Cassimy and LeeAnn Trotter hosting. After the screening comes the presentation of the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Prize, followed by a reception for festival-goers and filmmakers.
The opening-night listing does not identify the films or the prize recipient. That matters if you are choosing the event for a particular title or filmmaker: the confirmed draw is the four-film format and the broader gathering around it, rather than a named film or guest.
Further reading: Black Harvest Film Festival: OPENING NIGHT in Chicago ↗ · BLACK HARVEST FILM FESTIVAL at Gene Siskel Film Center ↗
One program within a much larger selection
Black Harvest runs Nov. 6–15 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, presenting films that engage with stories and perspectives across the Black diaspora. The 2026 festival listing describes a selection of more than 75 films, including 60 Chicago premieres, nine features and ten shorts programs. Those totals belong to the full festival, not this opening-night bill of four shorts.
The festival also lists filmmaker conversations, special presentations, parties and receptions during its ten-day run. Opening night is one way into that wider program, while the dates that follow offer distinct film and filmmaker events.
Further reading: BLACK HARVEST FILM FESTIVAL at Gene Siskel Film Center ↗
One opening-night program, with later festival choices
The venue lists the opening night from 7 to 9 p.m. The sources do not give separate start times for the shorts, prize presentation or reception.
Friday, November 6, 2026 · Gene Siskel Film Center
- Opening-night program: four short films hosted by NBC Chicago’s Evrod Cassimy and LeeAnn Trotter; Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Prize presentation; post-screening reception. Film titles and prize recipient are not identified.
The practical details
Friday, Nov. 6, 7–9 p.m.
The opening-night listing at the Gene Siskel Film Center gives a 7–9 p.m. window. The venue is at 164 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60601.
Gene Siskel Film Center, Upcoming Events in Chicago on Do312 ↗ · Black Harvest Film Festival: OPENING NIGHT in Chicago ↗
Check the Film Center’s ticketing site
The event listing directs ticket buyers to the Film Center’s ticketing site. It does not state the ticket price or an age policy.
The venue recommends arriving 20 minutes early
The Film Center recommends arriving 20 minutes before a screening. Its general box-office guidance says the box office opens 30 minutes before the day’s first screening and closes 15 minutes after the last showtime begins.
Siskel Film Center | Chicago's Home for Great Cinema | Directions & Parking ↗
Getting to the Film Center
Transit
The Film Center is near major CTA train lines and several bus lines; it recommends using Google Transit for door-to-door directions. The venue listing says the State/Lake elevated station is closed for reconstruction and points riders to Clark/Lake or Washington/Wabash for Loop service. Allow extra travel time for construction impacts. The map links can calculate directions from your starting point.
Gene Siskel Film Center, Upcoming Events in Chicago on Do312 ↗ · Siskel Film Center | Chicago's Home for Great Cinema | Directions & Parking ↗
Parking
Validated parking is available at InterPark Self-Park, 20 E. Randolph Street, with another entrance on Wabash near Randolph. The rate is $20 for up to 16 hours with validation; get the validation ticket from the box office before the screening. Limited street parking is available after 6 p.m. on Lake Street and Wabash Avenue.
Siskel Film Center | Chicago's Home for Great Cinema | Directions & Parking ↗
Biking and cabs
The Film Center is near the Chicago Lakefront Trail and Divvy stations. The venue lists Yellow Cab at 312-829-4222 or 312-TAXICAB, and Flash Cab at 773-561-1444.
Siskel Film Center | Chicago's Home for Great Cinema | Directions & Parking ↗
Before you make a plan
What time does opening night end?
The venue listing gives a 7–9 p.m. window. It does not provide separate times for the films, prize presentation or reception.
Gene Siskel Film Center, Upcoming Events in Chicago on Do312 ↗ · Black Harvest Film Festival: OPENING NIGHT in Chicago ↗
Does the opening-night listing name the four shorts?
No. It confirms a four-film program but does not provide the titles.
Black Harvest Film Festival: OPENING NIGHT in Chicago ↗ · BLACK HARVEST FILM FESTIVAL at Gene Siskel Film Center ↗
Are the Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 programs part of opening night?
No. They are separate dates within the Nov. 6–15 festival.
Is a ticket price or age policy listed?
The event listing does not state either. Tickets are directed through the Film Center’s ticketing site.
Location & Google Maps
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.